Skype

We've been having mixed luck with trans-Atlantic mail here. Items we send from Germany typically arrive safely in the U.S., but a postcard costs about $3.00 a pop, and letters cost about $7.00. On the receiving end, we're happy when snail mail from the U.S. reaches us here. But some items have gotten lost, some have been returned to senders after a few months en route, and some have gone to the customs office rather than our mailbox, with dire warnings about import taxes that we subsequently learned we didn't need to pay once we went out of our way to pick the items up.

So we're glad that the wonders of modern technology have produced Skype. The software is free, and computer-to-computer calls are free as well. Calling from Germany to a land-line telephone in the U.S. costs mere pennies. Still, we use Skype only for special occasions, as our Vodafone internet service is predictably flaky. There are only so many disconnections we're willing to tolerate before giving up.

We're especially glad that we can use Skype to hook Elias up with friends in the U.S. When he got bullied in the park here the other day, we put in a call to a friend back home who has experience with such things. Quinn offered some advice ("whatever they do, just say 'back atcha!'"), and then the kids proceeded to more important topics. And really, what better therapy is there for an eight-year-old than a good half-hour video call consisting almost entirely of underarm farts and booger talk?